Assessing robotic-assisted procedures in pediatric otolaryngology: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly used in pediatric otolaryngology, offering potential benefits like improved cosmetic outcomes. However, challenges such as longer operative times, higher costs, and a steep learning curve remain.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis assess whether robotic-assisted surgery offers advantages in operative time, complication rates, hospital stay, and cosmetic outcomes compared to traditional methods in pediatric patients.

Development of an Improved LASER-Resistant Endotracheal Tube.

Objectives: Surgical fires, particularly within Otolaryngology, remain a surprisingly frequent and devastating complication of laser-related surgery in the oropharynx and airway; Current estimates suggest anywhere from 200 to 600 surgical fires per year in the United States, with 20%-30% of these occurring as a complication of laser surgery and 90%-95% of these occurring in the head and neck region. Unfortunately, the complications of laser surgery in the airway may include respiratory failure, airway burns with stenosis, and may result in mortality. The most commonly utilized endotracheal tube for protection against inadvertent laser strikes, the Laser-Shield II tube (Medtronic), was removed from the commercial marketplace in 2016 after cases of airway fires were reported as a result of feature deficiencies in the product (FDA MAUDE Database review).

Impact of COVID-19 on nationwide pediatric complicated sinusitis trends throughout 2018-2022.

Objectives: To describe and analyze the trends of pediatric sinusitis cases from 2018 to 2022 across the country utilizing the Pediatric Hospital Information System (PHIS) database focusing on volumes, socioeconomics, and severity of cases.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database, which consists of 50 children's hospitals was performed.

Current Pediatric Tertiary Care Practices Following Adenotonsillectomy: An Update.

Objective: Adenotonsillectomy is a common procedure performed in children, and the practice patterns at academic centers have been evolving with the publication of updated societal guidelines. In this study, we assess perioperative practice patterns at tertiary care children's hospitals for children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Methods: A cross-sectional 18-question survey distributed in July of 2022 recruited responses through August 25, 2022.

Medical Student Mentorship in the COVID-19 Era.

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic led to a reduction of in-person, guided mentorship due to social distancing and an emphasis on virtual meetings. The effect of these changes on medical students' experiences and specialty choice has yet to be studied in a large-scale manner.

Objective: To determine the perspective of third- and fourth-year medical students regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mentorship.

Surgical Fires Involving Alcohol-Based Preparation Solution, 1991-2020.

Background: Alcohol-based skin preparations were first approved for surgical use in 1998 and have since become standard in most surgical fields. The purpose of this report is to examine incidence of surgical fires because of alcohol-based skin preparation and to understand how approval and regulation of alcohol-based skin preparations impacted trends in fires over time.

Methods: We identified all reported surgical fires resulting in patient or staff harm from 1991 through 2020 reported to the Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database.

Noise exposure in pediatric otolaryngology clinic: A sound survey of a single-institution tertiary care facility.

Background: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers acoustic exposure of 90 decibels (dB) an occupational risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Pediatric healthcare clinicians are exposed to considerable noise especially during invasive procedures, predisposing them to noise-induced hearing loss, increased work-related stress, and increased complications associated with intense noise exposure. While there has been extensive research in noise exposure in dentistry, to date there has been no research on noise exposure in the pediatric otolaryngology clinic setting.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis.

Introduction: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection commonly manifests as subacute or chronic cervicofacial lymphadenitis in immunocompetent children. The optimal management of this pathology remains controversial.

Objectives: This international consensus guideline aims to understand the practice patterns for NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis and to address the primary diagnostic and management challenges.

Surgical Fire in the United States: 2000-2020.

Background: Despite fire prevention protocols and perioperative staff training, surgical fires continue to cause patient harm, disability, and death.

Methods: We identified surgical fires that were reported to the Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database between 2000 and 2020 that resulted in patient or surgical personnel harm. Quantitative and descriptive content analyses were performed on free-text responses to identify contributing factors of surgical fire patient and personnel harm events.

Impact of COVID-19 on nationwide pediatric otolaryngology practice: Adenotonsillectomies (TA) and tonsil-related diagnoses trends.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Adenotonsillectomies (TA), Tonsil Related Cases (TC), and Peritonsillar Abscess (PTA) Trends.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System® (PHIS) database, which consists of 51 children's hospitals.

Impact of COVID-19 on nationwide pediatric otolaryngology: Otitis media and myringotomy tube trends.

Purpose: The pandemic related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to a decrease in communicable diseases due to social distancing and mask-wearing. How have the prevalence of otitis media (OM) and its associated procedures changed during the pandemic?

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System® (PHIS) database, which consists of 48 children's hospitals.

Soft palatal mass containing heterotopic neural tissue causing airway obstruction in a Pierre-Robin sequence patient.

Pierre-Robin sequence (PRS) patients frequently exhibit symptoms of airway obstruction due to multiple etiologies, predominantly from glossoptosis and tongue base obstruction. Rarely, these patients can have palatal mass and even rarer is one of neural origin. To date, there are few reports of heterotopic neural tissue causing airway obstruction in literature, and there are only two reports related to PRS.

Reducing intraoperative time with laryngeal mask airway and stretcher in pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

Objectives: Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. Several studies have defined the safety of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) during this surgery, and conflicting evidence exists describing the role it plays in reducing intraoperative times. Our objective is to describe the role LMA and operating on a stretcher have on reducing intraoperative time during pediatric T&A.

Early Tracheostomy Change in Neonates: Feasibility and Benefits.

Objectives: To compare outcomes of early and late tracheostomy change in neonatal patients. Early tracheostomy change (ETC) occurred 3 to 4 days after surgery, and late tracheostomy change (LTC) occurred 5 to 7 days after surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Reducing fire and burn risk in the operating room-testing of a novel device.

Background: Burn injury and operating room fires are significant risks for both surgical patients and staff. The purpose of this study was to examine the fire and burn risks associated with two types of fiberoptic light cables and evaluate the efficacy of a novel device in reducing the risk of these fire and burn injuries.

Methods: A 300-W light source was connected sequentially to two standard fiberoptic cables (Storz and Olympus).

Intraoperative Sentinel Events in the Era of Surgical Safety Checklists: Results of a National Survey.

Objective: Despite the implementation of advanced health care safety systems including checklists, preventable perioperative sentinel events continue to occur and cause patient harm, disability, and death. We report on findings relating to otolaryngology practices with surgical safety checklists, the scope of intraoperative sentinel events, and institutional and personal response to these events.

Study Design: Survey study.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) management recommendations: Pediatric tracheostomy decannulation.

Objectives: To provide recommendations to otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, and allied clinicians for tracheostomy decannulation in pediatric patients.

Methods: An iterative questionnaire was used to establish expert recommendations by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group.

Results: Twenty-six members completed the survey.

Tracheostomy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparison of International Perioperative Care Protocols and Practices in 26 Countries.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global surge in critically ill patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, some of whom may benefit from tracheostomy. Decisions on if, when, and how to perform tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 have major implications for patients, clinicians, and hospitals. We investigated the tracheostomy protocols and practices that institutions around the world have put into place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Competency-Based Assessment Tool for Pediatric Esophagoscopy: International Modified Delphi Consensus.

Objectives/hypothesis: Create a competency-based assessment tool for pediatric esophagoscopy with foreign body removal.

Study Design: Blinded modified Delphi consensus process.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Diagnosis of Extrinsic Upper Esophageal Compression Utilizing Video Laryngoscopy in an Infant Following Failed Transesophageal Echocardiogram Probe Placement.

Anesthesiologists are frequently responsible for placement of transesophageal echocardiography probes prior to cardiac surgery in children. A number of potential complications are possible, including placement failure. This report documents one such failed attempt at probe placement in a 3-month-old patient with a history of ventricular septal defect, and the utilization of video laryngoscopy by the anesthesiologist to diagnose a previously unknown extrinsic esophageal compression likely caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG): Consensus recommendations on the prenatal and perinatal management of anticipated airway obstruction.

Objective: To make recommendations on the identification, routine evaluation, and management of fetuses at risk for airway compromise at delivery.

Methods: Recommendations are based on expert opinion by members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). A two-iterative Delphi method questionnaire was distributed to all members of the IPOG and responses recorded.